217-477-5220, circulation@danvillepubliclibrary.org
Johnson Flanagan, Director of Operations
(jflanagan@danvillepubliclibrary.org)
Getting A Library Card
Everyone is welcome to use the library, but if you want to take materials home you must get a library card. When children can print their first name — and are at least 5 years old — they can apply for a library card. You may fill out an application at the Checkout Desk. If you are unable to come in for an application, please email jflanagan@danvillepubliclibrary.org
You can check Danville’s city limits on an interactive map HERE.
If you live within the legal city limits of Danville:
- Bring 1 current photo ID with current address
- If your photo ID doesn’t have your current address, you will also need one of the following:
- Mail postmarked within 30 days
- Tax bill for most recent year
- Voter’s registration card
- Imprinted personal check
- Utility Bill
- Lease
- If your photo ID doesn’t have your current address, you will also need one of the following:
- If you are a child, bring your parent or guardian.
- Fill out an application card.
If you live outside Danville, but own or lease property within Danville’s legal city limits:
- Bring a copy of the commercial lease OR your most recent property tax bill receipt for the parcel you own in Danville.
- Bring a current photo ID with your name and current home address.
- Fill out an application card.
If you live outside Danville and don’t own property within Danville’s legal city limits:
State law requires the library to charge a non-resident fee that is at least comparable to the average property tax support the library receives from its residents. The non-resident fee allows any persons living in the household an individual library card.
- The non-resident fee for fiscal year 2023-2024 (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025) is $160. Payment is due at the time of registration.
- Bring a current photo ID with your name and current street address.
- Fill out an application card.
If you are residing in Danville temporarily:
People who are visiting Danville for three months or less and whose permanent residence is outside Vermilion County may be granted limited library privileges upon proof of identification, for a deposit. Bring in the following:
- Proof of temporary address.
- Proof of permanent address.
- Deposit payment equal to the non-resident fee. (The deposit will be refunded after all library materials have been returned and the temporary card is turned in. If the card is not surrendered in three months, the library will keep the deposit.)
If you are a displaced person:
People who are displaced from permanent housing and are staying in temporary housing may obtain a library card. These cards expire after one year. Bring in the following:
- State issued photo ID.
- A verification letter on letterhead from the temporary housing, stating that you are staying at that facility and that the facility takes responsibility for any lost, damaged, or stolen items.
More information:
Loan Periods
Danville Public Library has established loan periods and limits for various types of materials in the collection in order to ensure that library materials receive the maximum use by the community. Patrons may borrow a total of twenty-five (25) items at any one time. Unless otherwise stated, materials may be renewed up to three times if a hold has not been placed on the materials. Materials borrowed from other libraries shall follow the rules established by the lending institution.
Regular Collection Print Materials
- New Fiction and New Non-Fiction Books may be checked out for 2 weeks.
- Fiction and Non-Fiction Books may be checked out for 4 weeks.
Magazines
- Magazines may be checked out for 2 weeks, with the exception of the most current issue, which may not be checked out.
Audiovisual Materials
- Entertainment DVDs/Blu-Rays may be checked out for 1 week.
- Non-Fiction and TV Series DVDs/Blu-Rays may be checked out for 2 weeks
- Music CDs and Audiobooks on CD may be checked out for 4 weeks.
Children’s Materials
- Books may be checked out for 4 weeks.
- Children’s audiovisual materials, including CDs, kits, and selected puzzles may be checked out for 4 weeks.
- Tablets may be checked out for 1 week to high school aged students. They may not be renewed.
- Special loan privileges may be extended to patrons who work with children, i.e. teachers, homeschoolers, etc. This patron must be responsible for paying for overdue, lost, and/or damaged materials borrowed in accordance with library rules and regulations.
Reference and Archives
- Materials in the reference and the archives collections may not be checked out.
Reserve/Renew
Reserve Items
Most Danville Public Library materials that are in circulation may be reserved for a patron; periodicals, DVDs, and certain music CDs may not be reserved. Patrons must have a valid Danville Public Library/Illinois Heartland Library System borrower’s card to use this service.
For materials owned by other libraries, please ask us about Interlibrary Loan.
To request items through the SHARE catalog, find items in the catalog and click “Request It.” Click “Requests” under “My Account” to see a list of the item(s) you have requested from your home library or other libraries in the Illinois Heartland Library System.
Items may also be reserved in person or by phone at 217-477-5220.
Renew Items
Most library materials may be renewed. Exceptions include items which are on hold for another patron; items which have already been renewed the maximum number of times; and certain types of material, such as some audiovisual items.
To renew an item through the SHARE catalog, click “Items Out” under “My Account.” Check the empty box to the left of the item’s title, then click the “Renew Selected Items” box. You may renew everything checked out to you by selecting “Renew All Items.” If the renewal is successful, the new due date will appear.
Items may also be renewed in person or by phone at 217-477-5220.
